maltese kusksu minestra soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 - bay leaf
• 10 ounces diced zucchini
• 1/2 - red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup peeled diced fresh pumpkin or butternut squash
• 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 1 can (15 ounce) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 ounce) tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
• 1 teaspoon dried mint
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• - salt and black pepper
• 1/2 cup uncooked large israeli couscous
• 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas or garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh italian parsley
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese